RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS DURING COVID-19

Compiled by the office of Australian Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi. Last updated 01/2021.

Please note: This is a live document and a non-exhaustive list. Please email us if you know of other financial support available. We will continue to push for the Australian Government to increase its support for international students, including through access to federal income support.

Contact: Senator.Faruqi@aph.gov.au 

National        1

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)        2

New South Wales (NSW)        3

Northern Territory (NT)        4

Queensland        4

South Australia (SA)        5

Tasmania        6

Victoria        6

Western Australia (WA)        7

National

Federal government support

  • Student visa holders employed by an aged care provider or a registered NDIS provider, as part of a nursing or medicine program or in the agricultural sector, may be eligible to work more than the 40 hours per fortnight limit. You can no longer work more than 40 hours if you are employed in a supermarket.
  • Students seeking to take up agricultural work (including harvest work) for at least 6 weeks and at least 120 hours of work may be eligible for financial assistance to cover the costs of relocation. https://www.dese.gov.au/rattuaj
  • Depending on their visa status, international students may be eligible for the government’s Special Benefit, for people experiencing severe financial hardship who do not qualify for another form of payment.

Red Cross emergency relief funding for temporary visa holders

Australian Red Cross is delivering emergency relief and casework support for people who are on temporary visas, including international students. Find out more and see if you are eligible here: https://www.redcross.org.au/news-and-media/news/help-for-migrants-in-transition 

Ask Izzy - food, housing and other support

Ask Izzy connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby. Housing, food and other services. Available nationally.

https://askizzy.org.au/ 

The International Student Support Network provides short-term, discounted homestay to students across Australia needing emergency accommodation due to eviction or financial distress.

https://www.homestaynetwork.org/issn/?mc_cid=c4ff53f867&mc_eid=d1722a9707 

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

ACT Government

The ACT government has launched a $20 million ‘Jobs for Canberrans’ program which creates new job opportunities for people living in the ACT and interested in seeking casual or short term employment with the ACT Public Service. The government says it is targeting casual workers who have lost their jobs but missed out on the federal government’s JobKeeper wage subsidy, or people who have been severely affected by COVID-19, which includes international students.

The ACT Government has partnered with community organisations to provide food and essential groceries to international students.

The ACT Government has also partnered with higher education institutions and Red Cross Australia (Location here) to provide support for international tertiary students.

Universities

  • Australian National University (ANU): ANU has allocated an additional $1.6 million to emergency financial support services for current ANU students in financial distress as a result of COVID-19.

https://www.anu.edu.au/covid-19-advice/wellbeing-and-support/financial-support

Undergraduates can apply for:

        Postgraduates can apply for:

Other services

For more services, visit ACT’s Community Services and Support (under ‘Multicultural community and Temporary Visa Holders 

You can also visit your state/territory’s international education agency (Study Canberra)

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW Government

The NSW Government is funding temporary crisis accommodation for stranded international students in NSW during the pandemic.  Accomodation is available for up to 12 weeks initially, with the potential to extend to 20 weeks.

The NSW Government has also teamed up with Foodbank and the Rapid Relief Team to deliver emergency relief packages and food boxes to people if they have been directed to self-isolate but are in need.

International students may be eligible for a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment of up to $1,500 if directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19. Check your eligibility here.

Study NSW

Study NSW has partnered with Foodbank to provide food hampers to international students. You can apply here. Study NSW has also compiled a list of other emergency food assistance providers in NSW here.

Study NSW has a Welfare Hub for international students during COVID-19. Free legal advice is available for international students regarding living arrangements, school fees, employment and visa conditions due to COVID-19. This free legal service is provided by Redfern Legal Centre.

Other government support

For those looking for free advice on their living situation, contact International Student Legal Service NSW and NSW Fair Trading.

City of Sydney and OzHarvest are giving out free food relief hampers in Sydney each week. More information here.

The Department of Social Services Database provides food relief and emergency payments for students, delivered by OzHarvest, SecondBite and Foodbank.

Universities

  • University of New South Wales (UNSW): Interest-free loans are also available through the university for international students experiencing financial stress ranging in value from $200 up to $4,000.
  • Note: In 2020, the university offered various types of financial assistance for international students during Covid-19. International students facing multiple complex issues (i.e. disability, house, mental health) associated with COVID-19, could apply for a one-off $2,000 emergency grant. Emergency e-vouchers of $200 were also available for international students affected by COVID-19. Their availability for 2021 has not yet been confirmed.
  • Arc UNSW is providing free food hampers for students at Food Hub. You can also keep up with other options for free food on campus here.
  • University of Sydney: International students can apply for general bursaries of up to $2,000 if they are experiencing financial hardship. International students may also apply for interest free loans of up to $1,000.
  • University of Technology Sydney (UTS): Interest-free loans of up to $3,000, grants of up to $1,500 and UTS Student Housing rental subsidies are all available through the COVID-19 Student Support Package.
  • University of Newcastle: COVID-19 Student Hardship Fund valued at $1 million with $500 hardship grants and Student Hardship Fund Voucher providing $100 supermarket e-vouchers, however it’s not yet confirmed whether these funds will be offered again in 2021. Interest-free loans of up to $2,000 are also available.
  • Macquarie University: Students who began studying at Macquarie University before July 2020 can apply for the university’s Student Success Support Package. Measures under this package include up to $250 in e-vouchers, care hampers and discounted MQ Student Meal Packages, advice and support on accommodation and tenancy matters (including emergency accommodation support in specific cases of hardship), a $2000 COVID- 19 Financial Assistance Grant, a $2000 COVID-19 Financial Assistance Loan to buy computers and tools for online learning and the ability to borrow back 25% of the current session fees students have already paid.
  • Western Sydney University: The university is offering a COVID-19 Financial Hardship Support fund for students who can show that their basic living needs and their continued study may be at risk due to current financial hardship.
  • The University of Notre Dame: The university is providing a financial hardship fund of up to $1,000 per student.
  • University of Wollongong: Up to $1500 for living expenses and support for technology available to international students through the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Grant Scheme.

Other services

The Tenants’ Union of New South Wales provides free advice for renters.

Students can access mental health services through their universities but also by calling national helplines. These include Beyond Blue, Lifeline and 1800 Respect. The national coronavirus helpline is 1800 020 080.

Those struggling to access food can contact Foodbank, Anglicare (who provide emergency food packages) and Ask Izzy (a food location service).

Addison Road Community Centre in Marrickville, Sydney is providing food hampers for international students.

Red Cross Australia has compiled information on other local community organisations in NSW providing emergency support services for the pandemic.

Northern Territory (NT)

NT Government

The NT Government established the Worker and Wellbeing Fund valued at $5 million for people in the NT who have lost their job or their income has been reduced because of COVID-19 and they are not already receiving financial and/or wellbeing support, including Centrelink benefits.

Red Cross Australia has partnered with Melaleuca Refugee Centre to provide emergency relief for international students who have lost their job or their income has been reduced because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Contact Red Cross Darwin on +61 403 987 018 to access emergency relief and support.

Territory Jobs Hub: The NT Government has launched this new digital platform to connect Territory employers with NT job seekers who have been affected by the economic impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. The Territory Jobs Hub is free to join and available to everyone in the NT.

Universities:

  • Charles Darwin University: Students did provide a COVID-19 Student Assistance Grant, which provided financial support for CDU students. It no longer appears to be available.

Other services

  • #KindnessShake, a community-led initiative aims to provide a weekly free meal to international students affected by the COVID-19. Follow their Facebook page for updates.
  • Red Cross has compiled information of other community organisations in NT providing emergency relief and support.

Queensland

Queensland Government

The government has created a digital platform Online Student Hub. Isolation care-packs, pre-prepared meals and other living expense payments are also available to students as part of a $2.2 million package.

Students can now book virtual appointments with student support officers through the Queensland Student Hub. For support outside of 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, please call 1800QSTUDY.

The QLD government has compiled a list of services providing food vouchers, food parcels and financial support. The list can be found here.

Universities

  • University of Queensland (UQ):. Students can apply for an emergency hardship grant or an interest-free loan. More information here.
  • Griffith University: COVID-19 Student Support Bursary package is providing up to $1500 for each student in need. Contact Griffith to apply.
  • Queensland University of Technology (QUT):  Students can apply for the QUT Emergency Student Support Fund. Contact QUT for more information.
  • University of Southern Queensland (USQ): Students can apply for an emergency support loan of up to $1,000 to cover specific needs related to study (e.g. textbooks and essential course material). Students can also apply for an emergency expenses loan which provides short-term funding of up to $300 for a maximum of 4 months for critical situations to support daily living necessities (e.g. food and medicine).
  • Southern Cross University: Students can apply for interest-free loans of up to $1,500.

Other

  • Caxton Legal centre runs a consumer law service. You can get advice about debts, consumer credit or problems with service providers including your education service provider.
  • Free Food Vouchers for International Students in Cairns by Rovers Cricket Club.
  • Griffith University has compiled a list of local organisations providing food assistance in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. More information here (scroll down to ‘Food and day-to-day needs’ and click ‘External support and information’).
  • University of Queensland has also compiled a list of organisations in Brisbane and Gatton providing emergency food relief.

South Australia (SA)

SA Government

International Student Support Package ($13.8m package)

  • SA Government will fund a second round of financial assistance to alleviate student hardship as a result of COVID-19. Students at a public university  (University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia) should contact their institution for support.
  • A $500 emergency cash grant will be available to other international students not studying at one of the public universities, currently enrolled in a course, living in Adelaide and who meet the criteria. Register here.

International students may be eligible for a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment of up to $1,500 if directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19. Check your eligibility here.

Universities:

  • Adelaide University: The university’s Student Support Package includes accommodation support, emergency housing and advice for students. Students in crisis can access vouchers for food hampers, as well as supermarket gift cards. There are also Lost Income grants, First-Year Student grants and Family Support grants available.
  • Flinders University: The Emergency Support Fund offers payments of $500 to successful applicants living independently, and payments of $250 to those who live with parents/caregivers.
  • University of South Australia: International students experiencing financial stress can apply for the UniSA Student Hardship (COVID-19) Fund.

Other:

  • The Training Advocate in South Australia provides students with independent advice or guidance about all aspects of living, working or studying in South Australia.
  • Red Cross Australia has compiled information on various organisations in SA providing food and emergency relief, advice on paying rent and utilities and health/medical resources.  

Tasmania

Tasmanian Government

Temporary visa holders are now eligible for Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants. They should demonstrate genuine financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Payment of $250 per individual or up to $1000 per family.

International students may also be eligible for a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if they have been directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

International students may be eligible for the Rapid Response Skills Initiative which provides up to $3000 towards the cost of training for eligible people who have lost casual, full-time or part-time work in the last 12 months due to retrenchment, downsizing or business closure.

Until 31 January 2021, international students experiencing rental hardship due to COVID-19 can also access the Residential Rental Grant Scheme.

Universities

  • University of Tasmania: Offering one-off payments of $250 for international student visa holders and up to $1,000 for families.

Other services

  • StudyTas has compiled a list of services providing emergency food relief, job opportunities and mental support here and here.
  • Red Cross Australia has also compiled a list of services providing food and emergency relief in Tasmania here.

Victoria

International students experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for the Red Cross’s Extreme Hardship Support Program. More information here.

Victorian Government

Support through access to International Melbourne Study Centre, online support hub, employment support, Rent Relief Grant eligibility, and access to free accommodation and employment legal support.

Universities

Other services

  • Darebin Council has compiled a list of local services providing food relief. Access the list here.
  • Study Melbourne Student Centre offers a range of free legal support, information and welfare services.
  • FoodBank Victoria provides free groceries to students at its Pop-Up Store in Aurora Melbourne Central between 10am - 2pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (excluding public holidays).

Western Australia (WA)

WA Government

  • Study Perth Crisis Relief: funds diverted from curtailed or cancelled projects to help international students who have an acute need for food, shelter, support and health and wellbeing.
  • Accessible by application by both individual international students in Western Australia who are in immediate, emergency need of food or shelter, and by eligible organisations and associations who are able to support international students with:
  • Food
  • Shelter
  • Rights and support
  • Health and wellbeing

Although applications have closed, the program may be re-opened in 2021 if circumstances change due to COVID-19. Keep updated on its status here.

  • International students may also be eligible for a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if they have been directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.

Universities

  • University of Western Australia: UWA offered a COVID-19 Financial Hardship Grant in 2020 to eligible students. The University states it is “pursuing opportunities to expand the scheme to generate additional funding to support the needs of students into the future”. Contact the Welfare Support Team.
  • Curtin University: Curtin Student Guild is running an Emergency Food Relief Program for students. The Student Guild has also compiled a list of community organisations also providing food and emergency relief.
  • The University of Notre Dame: The university is providing a financial hardship fund of up to $1,000 per student.
  • Murdoch University: Payments of up to $1,000 to full-time students (including international students) available for those experiencing hardship. Murdoch Guild also provides a Book Subsidy Scheme, a Food Bank and emergency assistance. More information here.

Other services

  • International students can get legal support at The International Education Conciliator in WA. They attempt to resolve disputes between international students and their education institutions through conciliation. mediation and dispute resolution process.
  • https://www.erconnect.org.au/ is a comprehensive database with resources ranging from accomodation, food, op-shops and other services.